Historic Triangle among world's iconic destinations

Adrin Snider, Daily Press

Colonial Williamsburg allows visitors to step back in time to the country's beginnings. Guests get a chance to see what life was like during Colonial times and watch actors portray the era's various artisans. The Kimball Theatre shows a variety of programs that tell the stories of the past as well as feature movies and life of the present.

Colonial Williamsburg allows visitors to step back in time to the country's beginnings. Guests get a chance to see what life was like during Colonial times and watch actors portray the era's various artisans. The Kimball Theatre shows a variety of programs that tell the stories of the past as well as feature movies and life of the present. (Adrin Snider, Daily Press)

Tyra M. Vaughn247-7870

National Geographic Traveler magazine has included the Historic Triangle, Chesapeake Bay and Shenandoah Valley in its list of the world's iconic destinations.

In the national publication's sixth annual "Places Rate" Destination Stewardship Survey, it ranked the world's most celebrated travel destinations and how well they've weathered the pressures of mass tourism while protecting the environment.

More than 400 travel experts in sustainable tourism surveyed 133 destinations for its annual list. They based the rankings on six criteria: environmental and ecological quality; social and cultural integrity; condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites; aesthetic appeal; quality of tourism management; and future outlook.

Norway's fjords region took top honors this year with a score of 85 points.

The Historic Triangle — which includes Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg — ranked the best among the Virginia destinations. The area scored a 68 and was listed in the "Places Doing Well" category. Destinations listed in that category have done a good job of "retaining a sense of place, with a few surmountable problems," a National Geographic news release said.

The Historic Triangle will be among the destinations featured in the magazine's November-December issue.

The article describes the area as "well-managed," which has "historical sites that evoke key moments in U.S. history, linked by the picturesque Colonial Parkway." The area's only flaw was its suburban sprawl.

Local tourism officials were pleased with the magazine's rankings and the publicity it will bring, said Linda Stanier, spokeswoman for the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance. "It's always good to build interests and more mind share about the destination," Stanier said. "The people who read this publication are predisposed to travel, so we're hoping this will make them want to come and see what we're all about."

The Chesapeake Bay was in the "Places with Troubles" category (tourist sites are "under severe pressures" and "many places are working to recover") with 42 points. The Shenandoah Valley was among "Places in the Balance," with a score of 62.

Other Historic Triangle honors in 2009 • Busch Gardens was named "the country's most beautiful park" by National Amusement Park Historical Association
• Duke of Gloucester Street was one of the 10 great streets in the U.S. named by the American Planning Association
• Colonial Williamsburg's Grad Illumination was named one of the top 100 events in North America by the American Bus Association